WHAT started out as a gesture of kindness to the medical staff who cared for his late son has landed Chris Lamb the title Scoffs Outside Champion Fundraiser.

His son Elliot who had been born with brain damage died just before Christmas in 2010.

Chris wanted to express his thanks to nurses who cared for Elliot and started by collecting chocolate oranges to hand out to them.

He started by collecting 145 but this year already the total is 2,000 and growing.

He explained: “I thought Christmas would never be the same again. I started taking ten to 15 at a time. I’m sure they thought I was a soft touch,” he joked.

“Now it’s gone nationwide with people in London collecting them.

"I was just glad to be nominated for this award and wasn’t expecting to win. I can’t believe it has taken off like this. We will also be looking to take some to Great Ormond Street and local hospices. “Having come from that first year to this is amazing. It just seems to have evolved and I am getting messages through Facebook from people collecting chocolate oranges.

“Every chocolate orange each has their own story behind them from people who want to say thank you.”